Press Release

21 April 2005

New research on red light cameras reveals that they can reduce road injury crashes by up to 30%.

A new worldwide review of studies - conducted by RoadPeace researcher Amy Aeron -Thomas and Stephane Hess of Imperial College, in collaboration with the Cochrane Injuries Group, found that red light cameras can reduce the number of injuries from car crashes at intersections by up to 30 percent.

The review, funded by the Rees Jeffrey's Road Fund and the Cochrane Injuries Group, included 10 studies from the United States, Australia and Singapore, comparing the impact of red light cameras on traffic violations and car crashes at signalised intersections. All studies used a comparison group and had at least one year of data for each of the before and after period.

The one study that adjusted for both the regression to mean and 'spillover effect' (where red light running is also reduced at nearby non camera sites), also found the greatest benefits. This Oxnard California study, conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, used warning signs at major entrances instead of at camera sites. It also tried to cover a wider geographical area and did not select camera sites on the sole basis of collision history. Cameras were used as a general deterrent to red light running.

Amy Aeron - Thomas said:

"Red-light cameras can have an important role in reducing the numbers of dangerous right-angle collisions at intersections, and have advantages over increased police enforcement in that they run 24 hours a day and do not involve high-speed chases. In the UK, camera partnerships are required to place warning signs at camera sites, but this may be limiting their 'halo' or 'spillover' effect."

Brigitte Chaudhry, President of RoadPeace, said:

"Fines from red light running should be allocated for rehabilitation and support services for road crash victims, a greatly neglected area, which contributes to further hardship of road crash victims and those who assist them."

Contacts:

Amy Aeron-Thomas at +44 20 8838 5102 or 07905 847 917, amy.aeron-thomas@roadpeace.org

Brigitte Chaudhry 020 8964 1800 brigitte.Chaudhry@roadpeace.org

Notes to editors:

About the Review:

A.S. Aeron-Thomas et al. Red-light cameras for the prevention of road traffic crashes. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 2

The review appears in the April issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research. Systematic reviews draw evidence-based conclusions about medical practice after considering both the content and quality of existing medical trials on a topic.

The Cochrane Collaboration is an international nonprofit, independent organization that produces and disseminates systematic reviews of health care interventions and promotes the search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions. Visit http://www.cochrane.org and http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD003862/pdf_fs.html for more information.

About RoadPeace: www.roadpeace.org helpline 0845 4500 355

Apart from RoadPeace, founded in early 1992, no other organisation has campaigned on red light violation ever since 1992. Nor has there been a government campaign on red light violation at least since 1992.

RoadPeace is the UK's charity dedicated to supporting road crash victims - representing their interests and protecting their human rights.

'Road deaths and injuries shatter lives'
In the UK, from 1940 - 2000 (60 years - a person's lifetime), 17,586.625 million people were reported injured and killed on UK's roads - if we take under-reporting and the effect on families into account, then more than half the population is affected by road death and injury in their lifetime. On the world's roads, 3000 people are killed daily - a daily 9/11 disaster!

At present, out of the 3500 deaths on Britain's roads, only some 250 are followed by a prosecution, which mentions the death in the charge. Other culpable deaths that get prosecuted (many do not) are only followed by a summary charge in a magistrates court, dealt with by lay magistrates, where the death remains totally disregarded, not mentioned or even recorded. No other country in the world treats death on the road so shabbily in law. It is rare for even summary charges being brought in cases of injury.